We are still missing a piece IMO. We have a good team, but not a dominant one by any stretch.

I would feel a lot better with another top-6 power forward with 50 pt potential (20/30). Preferably able to play with the Joe’s, but that situation may have run it’s course.

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They have 3 top-6 power forwards who can do just that. What they realistically need is a game breaking center but no one piece will change all that much when the entire rest of the core is playing as poorly as they have been.

I agree one more piece would be a huge help but not sure what that realistically looks like. I think we’ll have a much clearer view of this team by December - and luckily we have the pieces to get at least, I would think, a high end 3C if Suomela isn’t working out.

But it’s Doug we’re talking about.. maybe he can swing a Panarin or Duchene at the deadline (doubt Dorion ever trades with him again but who knows...)

They have 3 top-6 power forwards who can do just that. What they realistically need is a game breaking center but no one piece will change all that much when the entire rest of the core is playing as poorly as they have been.

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Bruh, Hertl is exactly that - a game breaking center. We just need another top-6 power forward to replace him on that line with Couture. Vegas is paper people. Let’s stop trying to beat them at their at their own stupid game and play some real Sharks hockey. We hard rim, we drive the net, that’s what we do.

And honestly, if this was our all-in-year we should have kept Fehr. That forth line was beast af with him out there. I like Goodrow, I like Sorenson. And I would much rather spend 2mil on Fehr than Karlsson. Ohh wait he signed for literally half that amount. So stupid.

Bruh, Hertl is exactly that - a game breaking center. We just need another top-6 power forward to replace him on that line with Couture. Vegas is paper people. Let’s stop trying to beat them at their at their own stupid game and play some real Sharks hockey. We hard rim, we drive the net, that’s what we do.

And honestly, if this was our all-in-year we should have kept Fehr. That forth line was beast af with him out there. I like Goodrow, I like Sorenson. And I would much rather spend 2mil on Fehr than Karlsson. Ohh wait he signed for literally half that amount. So stupid.

I think this is the last year we can even hope Hertl becomes the player we have all seen dominate at times. If he doesn't significantly improve this year then I think he is just winger he is used as now and will never become the #1 or 2C we all hope he becomes. He is starting to get a little old to be talking about potential.

Give Hertl a line to command, and by the end of the year I could see him proving good enough to play #1 or #2C. I'm also really curious when they decide to put Thornton at 3C, i'd hate to look in hindsight if he gets injured again our thinking was for him to play #1C the whole year after 2 surgeries.

I personally think all he needs is Karlsson cuz they "think the game the same way" and Labancs shot. Give the Joe line a break. I think especially for playoffs, we should put Thornton in a position where hes not getting tied up. Let that rest with Hertl and Couture. Also, we're going to be drawing a lot of penalties with EK, it would be wise to keep our PP players somewhat rested.

It sucks we haven't been grooming Hertl as Center, as he probably could be that guy, but I still remember in 2016 before Couture got injured, he was absolutely tearing it up at #3.

There is exactly zero reason to split up Suomela and Donskoi at this point. They have been dominant in every game, and until they no longer are, should not be split up for any reason outside of several injuries.

At this point, the best and seemingly only option in my mind, if Deboer insists on keeping the Joes together, is to put Hertl with them. That leaves Kane, Cooch, Meier and Labanc to make a 2nd/1st line with and fill the wing position on the 3rd.

I think Cooch and Labanc play well together, so I would prefer they be on the same line, leaving their LW for either Kane or Meier. If not, Labanc absolutely killed it with Suomela and Donskoi during the preseason, so you could put him back there, and try Kane/Cooch/Meier out for a bit. I just think Labanc fits better with Cooch then either of those guys.

Donskoi is awesome but unless he puts up a 50+ point season I don’t think he’ll price himself out of our budget. Donskoi is injury prone as well.

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I always wonder what it is that keeps Donskoi's point totals so low, because by the look of it, he should be racking up way more. Part of it is injury, of course, but I also wonder if it's his shot. If you gave him Pavs shot (who doesn't really use it as much as he used to, but regardless), he'd be a first line player.

I always wonder what it is that keeps Donskoi's point totals so low, because by the look of it, he should be racking up way more. Part of it is injury, of course, but I also wonder if it's his shot. If you gave him Pavs shot (who doesn't really use it as much as he used to, but regardless), he'd be a first line player.

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He gets pushed off the puck kinda easy. I agree his shot could be better. Also hasn’t had the best of linemates. Additionally, he doesn’t play on the first PP unit so almost all of his scoring is at 5v5. Has a good scoring rate per 60, but doesn’t play that many minutes.

He gets pushed off the puck kinda easy. I agree his shot could be better. Also hasn’t had the best of linemates. Additionally, he doesn’t play on the first PP unit so almost all of his scoring is at 5v5. Has a good scoring rate per 60, but doesn’t play that many minutes.

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Yes, he seems, relatively of course, weak. antithetical to someone like Meier, who looks like he could plow through a wall and emerge unscathed. Great speed and hands, but weak shot (in terms of speed), easily knocked off the puck, and frail. His craftiness and finish make up for some strength deficiencies to an extent.